Scholarship and college applications have always placed great importance on philanthropic work, and now many high schools are implementing volunteer hours as a requirement for graduation.

All of this is well and good, but how is one to go about finding such opportunities?

Most importantly, figure out your passion. Any work that you do — volunteer or paid — is more enjoyable and more rewarding when it connects to whatever it is that drives you. Do you absolutely adore animals? Is your heart with those who are less fortunate? Do you love the idea of working with children?

When you’ve decided what is most important to you, narrow down your focus. For instance, you love animals, but do you want to work hands on with cats and dogs at a shelter, or do you want to do something for animal rights? If you are passionate about working with people who are less fortunate, are you interested more in assisting with housing or food programming? And you like kids, but do you want to help in schools, in hospitals, or in a different place altogether?

Another key piece is to think about the time obligation. For instance, how often and for how long are you interested in volunteering for a specific cause or organization? Oftentimes places like animal shelters and hospitals require a year-long commitment and weekly or biweekly visits. Organizations like Habitat for Humanity offer long-term opportunities or one-day experiences. Mission trips are a fantastic opportunity for service, but those require a great time commitment (and often a significant financial responsibility as well). Working a water station at a charity race, on the other hand, would be a one-day, two- to three-hour obligation.

Finally, decide whether you want to participate in something formal or something more casual.

[Photo credit: Sarah Webb]
The idea of a woman using unsanitary materials like rags, leaves and cardboard during her monthly cycle may seem unfathomable, but it’s reality for many around the world.
In addition, at least 500 million girls and women lack adequate facilities for menstrual health management, according to a 2015 report from UNICEF and the World Health Organization (WHO). Others are sexually exploited in exchange for menstrual care supplies. And the rest use nothing — remaining isolated and stigmatized, perpetuating this devastating cycle for the next generation.
This makes the role of impact-driven philanthropists more important than ever. Those who want to see measurable progress on a range of worthwhile causes -- education, the environment, global health, homelessness, women and girls, and income inequality -- should consider the common denominator.
The menstrual equity gap.
When a woman lacks access to affordable menstrual care solutions — and accurate health education about their bodies — the repercussions for her family, community, and country are staggering.
UNESCO estimates that 10 percent of girls in Sub-Saharan Africa miss up to 20 percent of the school year due to their menstrual cycle.
In rural western Nepal, girls are sent to live in small, isolated sheds while menstruating — a custom that has led to dozens of deaths in recent years, The New York Times reports.
In India, 23 percent percent of girls drop out of school because they lack access to toilets and sanitary pads.
In the United States, sales tax on feminine hygiene products and inadequate supplies in homeless shelters, prisons, and schools disproportionately burdens low-income women and girls.

Are you ready to give?

If you are interested in Volunteering, please see these relevant Issue Funds, Charitable Organizations or Projects where you can get involved.